Five-star defensive deal with Damon Payne announced his determination to Alabama dwell Sunday afternoon on CBS Sporting activities HQ. The 6-foot-3 1/2, 297-pound defender from Belleville (Mich.) Significant Faculty gives the Crimson Tide the nation’s No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, in accordance to the industry-created 247Sporting activities Composite rankings.
Payne is also ranked No. 14 over-all in the country’s 2021 recruiting class, as very well as No. 1 in general in the point out of Michigan for this cycle. Payne picked Alabama around schools these as Arizona Point out, Kentucky, Michigan Condition, and USC.
Alabama initially offered Payne in April 2018. Payne had not introduced finalists or a checklist narrowed down further more from a group of 10 he declared in February, but the aforementioned schools are the programs Payne had mentioned as achievable formal take a look at locations this drop if visits have been permitted.
Alabama was the obvious leader on the 247Sporting activities Crystal Ball entering Payne’s determination announcement. The Crimson Tide had gotten 10 forecasts to land Payne, which includes all 5 guide expert predictions. Payne’s addition presents Nick Saban and his coaching staff members 16 commitments for the 2021 class, which was now ranked No. 2 nationally on the 247Sports activities Composite Group Recruiting Rankings.
Payne is a two-sport standout in football and track and subject, exactly where he competes in the shot place and discus. Payne recorded a private document of 52 ft in the shot place and registered 133 toes, 3 inches in the discus in May 2019. He finished the 2019 keep track of season as Michigan Division I point out qualifier in the shot place.
The following breakdown is the 247Sports scouting report on Payne. His player comparison from 247Sports activities national scout Charles Electrical power is former Alabama standout and existing Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson:
“Stoutly built defensive lineman with a effectively-proportioned develop. Doesn’t carry much poor fat on his body irrespective of presently being about 300 kilos. Has registered as a good athlete for the placement with potent limited area quickness and burst in blend settings prior to his junior period. Works as a two-way lineman at Belleville and has performed equally methods at camps early in his job right before settling in as a defensive deal with prospect. Performs with a higher-degree mixture of very first-action quickness and power at the point of assault. Reveals the capability to create disruption as an interior move rusher with the burst off the ball paired with a minimal pad stage. Has active fingers and presently made technically with successful push-pull and rip moves at this stage. Also exhibits the strength in his base to anchor and make performs as a run defender. Can keep on progressing as from a generation standpoint on the defensive facet (performs both of those methods) and as a pursuit defender. Assignments as a multi-year starter at the Electric power 5 amount with the upside to build into an early round NFL Draft assortment.”
